Mildred (Myrophora) Christo, age 95 passed away on Saturday, January 13, 2023 at the Coral Springs Rehab and Healthcare Center.
She was born on December 18, 1928 on the Island of Cyprus in Koma Tou Yialou, a daughter of the late John James and Salome Anastasi James.
She was predeceased by her husband George Christo. Mildred and George worked side by side at the Busy Bee Café on West Main Street in Danville, Virginia for 34 years and built a lifetime of memories. College students affectionately greeted “papa” and “mama” when they walked into the Busy Bee Café, which was a Danville staple for years. As Greek immigrants, the pair lived within walking distance of each other in Cyprus. A chance meeting during the holidays led to a romance and 53 years of marriage after the two moved to the United States separately with their families. After they retired from the restaurant business in 1994, they continued delighting the people of Danville with their food and pastries at the Danville Farmers Market for 18 years.
Mildred was beloved by everyone who knew her because of her boundless energy, enthusiasm, and outstanding cooking and baking. She was a devoted member of St. Peter’s Greek Orthodox Church in Danville and an avid supporter of all the activities and events of her church. She was a tireless volunteer at the church’s annual festival, working continuously from open to close.
In 2014 she moved to Wilmington, Delaware to live with her son the Reverend Father Gus G. Christo and his wife Pani Georgia J. Christo after the passing of George in 2013. Mildred attended Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church on Philadelphia Pike in Wilmington and the St. Nicholas Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Dover.
In addition to her parents John and Salome and her husband George, Mildred was predeceased by her Uncle Gus James, sisters Margaret James and Mary James, and brothers Gus James II and Ernest James (Mary Christine).
In addition to her son the Reverend Father Gus Christo and her daughter-in-law Pani Georgia Christo, Mildred is survived by her granddaughters Myrophora Bololis (George) and Chrysanthe Meshreky(Mark), her sister-in-law Helen James, nieces Debbie James, Mary Margaret James, Nicole Phillips (George), nephews Andy James (Tina) and John James, great nieces Sofi and Olivia James, and great nephew Alexander Phillips.
A Viewing will take place at Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 1406 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington, DE 19809 on Thursday, January 18, 2024 from 12:00-1:00 p.m. Funeral Services will immediately follow at 1:00 p.m. A memorial meal, hosted by the Sisterhood of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, will be offered in the Church’s Community Hall after the funeral service. The burial will take place at the Mountain View Cemetery, 254 Rambler Drive, Danville, VA 24541 on Friday, January 19, 2024 at 1:00 p.m.
Donations to her memory may be made to St. Peter’s Greek Orthodox Church, 116 Jefferson Avenue, Danville, VA 24541, Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 1406 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington, DE 19809, and St. Nicholas Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 870 Forest Street, Dover, Delaware 19904.
McCrery and Harra Funeral Homes and Crematory, Inc., 3924 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803 is serving the Christo family. https://www.mccreryandharra.com
